When shopping for gasoline-powered fleet golf cars, remember this: other vehicles have engines with electronic fuel injection (EFI), but there are big differences in these engines.

The sophisticated but easy-to-maintain EFI engine that powers the new 2015 Club Car Precedent golf car broadens that gap.

“Club Car engineers spent a year researching major engine manufacturers’ offerings before partnering with Subaru, a world leader in building small engines with EFI,” says Rusty Risher, Marketing Manager, Golf.

Using automotive technology, Subaru designed a 14-hp-rated, 404 cc single-cylinder overhead cam engine with EFI. Designed around a unique matrix of features, it outperforms the competition and ranks best-in class in virtually every category.

•Reduces the annual cost of ownership by $160, based on fuel usage and maintenance schedules in the owners’ manuals.

Club Car is so confident in this new engine that they have extended the warranty on both the Precedent golf car’s engine and gas transaxle to a five-year limited warranty standard, one to two years longer than competitive vehicles. “This gives course owners and managers an added layer of protection and cuts the total cost of ownership even more,” Risher says.

Why EFI?

Unlike engines with carburetors and chokes that suction fuel and can be difficult to start, EFI systems atomize fuel by forcibly pumping it through a small nozzle under high pressure. So they start right up even in frigid weather, automatically adjust for altitude and deliver power on demand. EFI systems also reduce maintenance costs, last longer and lower emissions.

The Club Car Difference

“But the design of EFI engines varies considerably,” Risher says. “Ours is engineered with overhead cams that are more automotive and precise than the outdated pushrod engines in competitive vehicles.”

The Subaru engine also:

• Features a hemispherical head design that produces more torque and power than the straight valve engines in competitive products.

• Has a splash lubrication system that eliminates the need to buy, change and dispose of oil filters.

Club Car vehicles are built on the industry’s only rustproof, corrosion-resistant aluminum frame, engineered to be stronger than steel frames. Club Car, one of the most respected names in the golf industry, is the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles. Visit www.clubcar.com for more information.

E-Z-GO GIVING AWAY DREAM GOLF EXPERIENCE

Diamond Golf Getaway quiz finds your ideal golf destination

To celebrate its 60th anniversary, E-Z-GO is offering a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience for one lucky winner and three friends.

The E-Z-GO Diamond Golf Getaway will take the winner, and three friends to round out his or her foursome, on an expenses-paid trip to play their choice among a selection of renowned golf courses, including Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No. 2, Sea Island Golf Club, or a course along Alabama’s famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The prize includes a round of golf for four at the course of the winner’s choosing, plus first-class airfare and luxury accommodations for four during the trip.

To enter the contest, participants are asked to take a short, fun online quiz at www.diamondgolfgetaway.com that matches their golf skills and vacation preferences with one of the four ultimate golf experiences. People also can take the quiz via Facebook at www.facebook.com/4ezgo. Participants also can enter the contest by visiting their local E-Z-GO Authorized Dealer, or via postcard entry. Each entrant can enter the contest up to four times.

“E-Z-GO is privileged to be the brand of choice for some of the biggest ‘bucket list’ courses in golf,” said E-Z-GO President Kevin Holleran. “We’re excited to celebrate our diamond anniversary by giving someone an opportunity to experience one of golf’s most storied and renowned destinations.”

The “Diamond Golf Getaway” promotion will end Dec. 31, 2014. More details about the promotion, including official rules and a complete list of contest entry methods, can be viewed online at www.diamondgolfgetaway.com. To find your local E-Z-GO Authorized Dealer, visit www.ezgo.com/dealer_locator.

FLOW-RITE TO EXPAND FACILITY, CREATE NEW JOBS

Flow-Rite Controls was recently awarded a performance-based grant from the State of Michigan to support the expansion of its Byron Center, MI facility by 7,500 SF. The expansion will include an innovative engineering center, upgrades to the existing facility, new high-speed assembly equipment, and new injection molds.

The project will result in a capital investment of $6 million and the creation of 64 jobs.

“It is a core value we have at Flow-Rite to remain a ‘Made in the USA’ manufacture,” says Robert Burnetter, Chief Executive Officer for Flow-Rite. “We are continuously reinvesting in our facility, products and people here in West Michigan. With the help of The Right Place and this advantageous incentive program, we can reinvest quicker in our company and community.”

The Right Place, a regional non-profit economic development organization, worked with Flow-Rite to help attain the grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund under the Michigan Business Development Program.

“Flow-Rite is the definition of what advanced manufacturing looks like today in West Michigan,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “It is imperative that we retain and expand growing companies like Flow-Rite in our region; companies that take pride in the ‘Made in the USA’ labels on their products.” Visit www.flow-rite.com for more details.

With higher initial capacity and longer service life, U.S. Battery Manufacturing’s 8-volt Deep Cycle batteries improve golf car performance and reliability. The company’s exclusive XC2™ formulation and Diamond Plate Technology® are combined to create the industry’s most efficient battery design, providing the highest initial capacity and highest rated capacity through the life of the battery. This plate technology also allows U.S. Battery’s products to reach peak capacity in fewer cycles, provide higher total energy delivery, extend service life, and be compatible with a wider range of battery chargers.

“Golf car owners and fleet managers used to have to choose between a battery that provided either higher peak power or longer service life,” says Don Wallace, U.S. Battery CMO/Executive Vice President. “We set out to build a better battery that provides our customers with both higher initial capacity and longer service life by improving the plate structure and composition. A better, longer lasting battery won’t need to be replaced as often and, when properly maintained will save our customers money in the long run.”

U.S. Battery also manufactures 6 and 12volt deep-cycle batteries for a variety of applications. U.S. battery products are manufactured in the U.S.A. and distributed worldwide. For more information, visit www.usbattery.com.

FLOW-RITE PROMOTES TODD HART TO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

“As our company continues to grow, it’s essential to not only continue providing the best products in the market place, but to also champion innovation and a superior customer experience,” said Robert Burnetter, Chief Executive Officer for Flow-Rite. “Todd Hart genuinely personifies this drive to improve, serve and succeed.”

As the Executive Vice President, Hart will direct all operations of Flow-Rite, lead the executive team in formulating and executing the business strategic plan, and organize each department to optimize performance.He will maintain Flow-Rite’s history of consistent growth with emphasis on sales of proprietary products, while continuously improving efficiency.

Hart was a business development consultant for Flow-Rite before being hired for the role of Sales Director in September 2012.He oversaw all Flow-Rite sales efforts, including both our battery watering and marine businesses. Hart was involved with developing new markets and industries, as well as working closely with the marketing and customer service departments on various projects.Under his leadership as Sales Director, sales have grown 20% each year.

Hart brings with him nearly two decades of experience in various industries and roles.Prior to Flow-Rite, Hart worked for B & J Rocket, where he was the General Manager for over eight years.

“We have complete confidence in Todd’s abilities,” says Burnetter, “and are looking forward to him leading our team forward.” Visit www.flow-rite.com for more details.

CLUB CAR WELCOMES THE VILLAGES GOLF CARS TO ITS DEALER NETWORK

Nation’s Largest Retail Golf Car Dealership “Joins the Club”

Club Car recently extended its dealer network when The Villages Golf Cars, the nation’s largest retail golf car dealership, became an Authorized Club Car Dealer. The dealership operates four locations with more than 30,000 square feet of retail showroom space within The Villages, a sprawling retirement community in central Florida. The Villages is home to 95,000 residents, making it the largest age-restricted community in the world. Ninety-nine percent of its residents drive golf cars for local transportation.

“We approached Club Car because our customers want the very best products on the market and were requesting Club Car vehicles,” says Lori Resmondo, the dealership’s retail operations manager. “We were aware of the outstanding quality of Club Car’s electric Precedent® golf cars, and were pleased to learn that new gasoline Precedent golf cars will feature powerful Subaru EFI engines. Now, our customers can purchase those products and bring their Club Car vehicles in for service without leaving.”

The Villages

The Villages Golf Cars’ service technicians have already completed Club Car technician certification training, and all four locations carry Club Car products. Those products include Precedent golf cars and commercial/industrial utility vehicles.Club Car now has two Authorized Club Car Dealers serving The Villages and the surrounding area. Cart World Golf Cars, at 133 Hermosa St. in Lady Lake, Fla., is the area’s longest-serving Authorized Club Car Dealer and has serviced The Villages and the central Florida area for almost 30 years.

Club Car vehicles are sold through Authorized Club Car Dealers. www.clubcar.com.